Governor of Maharashtra S. C. Jamir has said that Christians in India could play a pivotal role in restoring peace, harmony and unity in the country in the present scenario of turmoil and for which, they must awaken their conscience and assert their belief in Christianity. “Our greatest weapon should be love, compassion and faith in the living God”, he said.
Speaking at a Peace Meeting (Shanti Milan) organised by the ‘Fellowship of Bishops in Mumbai’ at YMCA International, Mumbai on Monday he said that in the past, the entire country would respond whenever there was a crisis in one part of the country or the other.
He said leaders of those days were truly leaders of India and parliament then debated on national agenda wherein people from all political parties would participate. He regretted that presently, this feeling of fellowship towards citizens was declining.
Pointing to North East in general and Nagaland in particular, he said the region had been facing worst kind of terrorism for more than 30 years and yet there was little or no response either from the people or the Christian fraternity of India. Governor said that a lasting peace could be established by adopting humanitarian and compassionate approach towards problems like Naxalism, insurgency, etc. A two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the persons who died in the recent terrorists attack in Mumbai.
Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Archbishop of Bombay Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Bishop of Kalyan Diocese Mar Thomas Elavanal, Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Michael Pinto, Media personality Roger Pereira, Vice-Chancellor of Dr D. Y. Patil University, Prof. James Thomas and other eminent persons were also present.